Seriously, I know he is a good player, but the efforts to make him the best and the face of the NHL has made me dislike the kid. There are other young players who work hard and are great fun to watch - we have a few - who will not get the media hype, but who are still also good for the game. Hard work and heart - to me, that's what the game is all about.

I hate for any player to go out like this, but his time might be over. Seems that he has a hard time coming back from the injury, much as he might want to.

I think we may have seen the last of him at least for the regular season.

I can't see him coming back and never having any setbacks when it comes to concussions and headaches. He couldn't even make it for a month after having a whole year off. And the hits he took weren't even that severe.

Many players have had their careers end early, but this could potentially be the worst such example. Maybe in any sport. We're talking about a guy who was on pace to finish his career as a top 10 all time player.

When bobby orr's career ended early, the NHL found a way to survive. I think we will be a okay. The only money the NHL is band wagon Pitt fans, and the money to reprint all the ad's with Crosby already all over them...

Does it suck to to lose a star player, yes. Will it hurt the NHL greatly, NO.

Crosby is the best player. Guy scores a point per game easily, even after being away from the game for a long time.

And I can't believe some fools on this board actually think this doesn't hurt the league. They televise countless Pens games and talk about Crosby all the time. Whether you like that or not, it's a fact. When he's not playing, it makes the league look worse.

To be fair, though, it is the league's own fault for putting all their eggs in one basket.

The VladinatorHe earned the NHL Plus/Minus Award in 1995-96, with a plus/minus difference of plus-60. The +60 has been the highest rating a player has finished with in the past 20 seasons, since Wayne Gretzky finished with a +70 in the 1986-87 NHL season

"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. In other words: it is war minus the shooting." -- George Orwell

Yes let's wish that a player never plays again because the media promotes him after having one the best starts to a career in the history of the game.

Stay classy wing's fans.

This is awful news, he's such an important player for the league, it will not be the same without him. Such a shame.

I don't understand this mentality. He's not any better for the game than Ovechkin or Stamkos or anyone else. Maybe because he sells more jerseys? As far as the actual game goes, he's not even the best player in the league (arguably), so his loss would suck for Pens fans but I think the league will do just fine.

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it's pretty pathetic that some of you would wish to see one of the best point producers and most talented players in the nhl never step on the ice again just because you're still bitter about a SCF loss a few years ago.

He's a rival and promoted above all and the hate is understandable on that level. To think it doesn't matter one way or the other for hockey is delusional and putting their hate above the good of the game.

"Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair, or f***in beatin's. The world ends when you're dead. Until then you got more punishment in store.Stand it like a man, and give some﻿ back."

He's a rival and promoted above all and the hate is understandable on that level. To think it doesn't matter one way or the other for hockey is delusional and putting their hate above the good of the game.

Please explain why the unfortunate possible retirement of HWSNBN is any more devastating to the league than that of excellent and almost universally beloved players? He's a very good player to be sure, but I fail to see how his loss will harm the league. If anything, it will help get headshots out of the game, so his loss would actually be for the greater good while the NHL continues to grow in spite of him not being in it.To think his retirement will affect anything other than who the league markets next is delusional.

I think those defending Crosby are looking at the situation a bit askew. He adds an excitement to the league when he's playing, but to say it would be a huge blow to the NHL if he never played again is reaching.

I don't understand this mentality. He's not any better for the game than Ovechkin or Stamkos or anyone else. Maybe because he sells more jerseys? As far as the actual game goes, he's not even the best player in the league (arguably), so his loss would suck for Pens fans but I think the league will do just fine.

Crosby is better than either of those players you mentioned.

Obviously the league will survive. A still think he's a whiny little ***** (albeit an extremely talented one) but it would be a shame for his career to end so early because of concussion issues.

To think his retirement will affect anything other than who the league markets next is delusional.

you don't think it will affect fans? you don't think the fans want to see the best players play, especially a player that may be the most exciting in the league?

do you think fans wouldn't care if datsyuk retired tomorrow due to injuries? a player that many feel is alone worth the price of admission to a game? and that's a player that already reached his prime, unlike crosby.

you don't think it will affect fans? you don't think the fans want to see the best players play, especially a player that may be the most exciting in the league?

do you think fans wouldn't care if datsyuk retired tomorrow due to injuries? a player that many feel is alone worth the price of admission to a game? and that's a player that already reached his prime, unlike crosby.

get a clue.

Fans would care if Datsyuk had to retire due to injuries, but you know what? It wouldn't spell the demise of the NHL, nor would Crosby's retirement, despite what the Canadian media would have you believe.